I've <3ed Taryn Manning ever since circa 2002, when I was an overweight unconvincingly closeted suburban-bred tween whose face leaked into my XL butter-drenched popcorn all eight times I watched the CLASSIC CINEMA COMING-OF-AGE MASTERPIECE known as Crossroads, in which Manning portrayed Brit Brit Spears' (!!!) knocked-up BFF alongside Zoe Saldana. Other reasons I remain obsessed: let us not forget the immaculateness that was Boomkat (Manning and her bro's electro-pop dope duo), specifically "The Wreckoning" music vid in which a trench-coat clad Manning furiously struts around a junkyard with killer bangs/heels singing Girl Power!/AIM away message-friendly lyrics (See: "I came, I saw, I kicked some ass!") #SheBetterWork There's also those edgy roles including Eminem's kinda cray ex in 8 Mile and, of course, playing a prostitute in Hustle & Flow, which found Manning nabbing many raves/nominations and rocking some major Bo Derek-esque dreads realness. (PS, back off, I'm considering this salacious lewk as my Halloween costume. *Hair flip*) Did I mention the killer actress' resume includes getting her acting on alongside Oscar Golden Girls like Helen Mirren and Renee Zellweger? Or that she made my nostalgic aughties' heart beat loud when playing Kirsten Dunst's home girl in Crazy/Beautiful and partaking in many a make-out session with Freddie Prinze Jr. (!!!) in an indie rom-com? *Faints* Also, my tear ducts have never been the same since Manning's performance on a recent episode of Law & Order: SVU. As of late, the quadruple uber-talented threat is killing it on many a flat-screen with major recurring roles on Hawaii Five-O and Sons of Anarchy, getting all the cool kids around the universe in a downright tizzy as an in-demand DJ, aaaand, thank the gay gods, banging out new pop gems as a pint-sized pop star and once again showcasing those smoke-y soulful pipes and synth-heavy beats. Her latest mega tune "Send Me Your Love", off her forthcoming EP, is already a Top 10 Billboard Dance smash/losing-your-damn-mind-on-the-dance-floor-inducing anthem, and you'd be a fool to not get your iTunes on ASAP. Alas, I got Taryn to send me her L-U-V/favorite fashion-y thangs. You’re very welcome. If you're anything like me, prepare for a Crossroads marathon/8 Mile soundtrack listening session (yep, she’s crooning up on that too)/overwhelming urge to get a unicorn tatt/many a heart explosion.